Please Pick Up Your Dog Mess!

I find public shame and ridicule to be an effective weapon against lazy, inconsiderate dog owners. One such lazy person decided my front lawn was the best place for her dog to do its business - every day. And she didnt pick it up. So I made a sign. A very BIG sign. I put it on my front lawn, with her dog's "offerings" on display. My sign said this:
"To the lazy, stupid dog owner that defiled my lawn: You are lower than the sh*t you left behind. You dont deserve a dog, and I hope you dont have children."
I left the sign up for a few days. Came home from work, and, miracles of miracles - the crap, and the sign were gone. Havent had a problem since.
At a different house, I had a similar situation. I found out where the lazy person lived, saved up the mess for a few days, and returned it to their front step in a nice big pile. I figured they would like to have it back.

Being a dog owner myself, with two sweet, impossibly cute rescue pups, I take my responsibility seriously. I have doggie bags in every coat pocket, and even in my vehicle. Thats just what you do when you make the commitment to have dogs.

 

Man alive you really get your freak on over dog mess. If you put that sign in my yard I would call the cops and then move far, far, away from you. Are you taking your meds?

 

BELLARU you are my HERO!!! I love it- and would market your signs in a heartbeat and make a ton of dough!!! of course we'd have to change the word to crap sp kids could read the sign too, but man that is AWESOME.

 

People just don't have respect for others property, and they certainly don't teach their kids.

We live on a corner lot with a 100 foot wide common area between us and the side street.

We also have a large porch around the front and down the side to the back. People really don't notice us sitting out there and it is amazing what some do when they don't think someone is watching them. Most dog walkers around here are very respectable. But we do have a couple of screwball women walking there dogs right up into peoples yards we see them looking straight into peoples homes through the open drapes. They will walk right up to someones fence mailboxes landscaping let their animals defecate all over their neighbors stuff. Why not let your animals do that in your own yard. Does not matter if you pick it up, these people are just plain sick in the head. I see them get right up to the fence and look through the cracks. I have seen one in my back yard late at night with her dog probably thinking they will not be noticed. They are in for a big surprise because I am going to start to video tape them and confront them with the tape and hopefully that will stop it. Right now it is not much of a problem because we have not landscaped, but next year we are going to be putting in some serious landscaping and I am not going to put up a fence to keep these few wacko's out. Hopefully a video camera will help. I have also caught a teenager at our basement patio door looking straight into our home at night. I startled him when I caught him from coming up behind him outside. I said can I help you and he said in a nasty way nope I don't need any help. and he walked away. Personally we have never been a victim of any crime at our home but Wison Pickett who lived behind us when he was alive he was robbed by gun point during the day. SO you never know!!!!! Personally like in california dog parks could be somewhat of an answer to some of this problem. I love animals but I love them when they stay in their owners home and property and off mine. No matter where I have lived this has been a problem. There are the mostly respectful animal owners and then there are the few crazies that ruin it for all. And boy do we have a couple in my neighborhood. Sixty Minutes did a show many years ago about the dangers of animal poop and little kids and how if you even pick it up there still could be some danger there to the children. That show was a real eye opener.

Lee j

 

this thread will never die b/c inconsiderate boobs will move in and out of the neighborhood ALWAYS. so maybe i can put at least a strong comma here since there will never be a period.

Is poop a SMALL problem inthe neighborhood compared to other issues? YES
Is it still rude annoying and worth venting about here? YES.
Will emails, newsletters, banners, door to door poop-awareness brigrades, flyers and flashing signs make it stop? NO
Will publicly shaming without physical confrontation (see Genius Bellaru's post above) work? LIKELY
Is flinging poop on known offenders doorsteps recommended? NO, but is CAN be highly satisfying...

those who don't want to hear us kvetch about dog poop are encouraged to EXIT STAGE RIGHT from THIS THREAD. we have as much right to be annoyed by to as you have to right NOT to be annoyed, and THIS is the place to get that frustration out. we're happy you aren't bugged- that's why this is not a POLL on how you feel- it's a b*#)*fest about a small annoyance and a place to share possible solutions.

My next step is to contact a manufacturer in China to make Bellaru's signs... with a little cup attached in front to hold the offending turd.

i love the Broadlands- and i am GLAD this is one of the things I can complain about.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

Redon - LMAO - well said

 

Whoa. Talk about textbook stream of consciousness...

 

no I just posted it - of course I read it...

IMO - the lawn run-off enters gutters usually by the swayls and in our area finds its way to the wetlands and or various drains - thus into the water table.

Human waste is treated by chemicals - however you're right livestock is not and runs off into the water table.

Geez - yuck and I agree with you.

 

i'm guilty of the gutter thing- i was in the Village at a park where my son had a football game. they provided no bags, no trash cans. i wasn't putting that- ummm- crap- in my car, so i wrapped it in a walmart bag and guttered it... sorry. never again i promise.

 

VaCliff:
I find it sad that you so quickly dismiss the idea of signage. Adding a sign to the poop stations does nothing bad to the area. This is common on most dog poop waste stations actually and, picking up after your dogs mess is the LAW. Why not state the law?

You seem to think that we see the offenders? Has this not gotten through to you people? We do NOT see the offenders, hence we have NO WAY of confronting them.

I will personally go out and hold a sign one of these days and I'd be happy to ask for signatures on a petition to place signs on the poop station.

The people doing this do it in part because they think people don't care. If we don't see them, we can't confront them to tell them we care. So then, posting a sign or a notice saying (not in these exact words) 'We know this is a problem, it is against the law, please stop' will alert people that we do care and they should care in return.

With your mentality, we should never post Missing Children on the side of milk cartons or on Grocery store doors ... because people don't take notice or change their ways after being educated on a problem.

Mr. Rogers-
To you sir, I ask you to call your local vet and ask them how they feel about dog poop lying around. Just so happens our dog is once again aflicted with an intestinal parasite (this time Coccidia http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?articleid=727) which, per the Vet, is transmitted through other feces, most often because dogs smell other dogs poop that isn't picked up.

I then ask you to come over to Fieldthorn/Sunderleigh and walk our common area, barefoot, because I believe you will find that dog poop does not just biodegrade quickly.


-C

 

a4 guy- there ARE some signs on the trail, and i think a poop bag and trash can are big enough hints as to what they are for and what proper behavior is. you can't get ppl around here to adhere to STOP signs, No standing or Parking signs, SEAT BELTS ARE THE LAW signs, SPEED LIMIT signs, or even TOWING ZONE signs! you think a poop sign will make a diff? especially if no one is around to catch and enforce the law?!? the kind of ppl who will notice and pay attention to the signs are the kind of ppl who ALREADY PICK UP POOP!

a4guy- your intentions are admirable but you HAVE to admit - the problem is not lack of awareness, and not a lack of the HOA providing tools and notices, it's a PERSONAL CHOICE to be antisocial and a BAD NEIGHBOR. the HOA CANNOT CHANGE HUMAN NATURE.

a sign won't make the "doodie ditchers" gasp and say "oh my- I've been breaking the law all along! I'd better scoop my poop!" they might pick it up if someone sees them but otherwise they will go on their merry way.

i appreciate you a4guy but we considerate, poop scooping pet owners will LOSE this battle, one turd at a time...

i love that word... TURD. lol

boy posting on pain meds is fuuuuuun!!

 

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Well then my mission starts today. I'm printing out flyers that I'll pass out to all the neighbors on my street. A friendly reminder that we need to be responsible and courteous.​

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well staple a coupon to doggone natural to it, at least then they might keep and read it!

if i wasn't on crutches i might even go door to door with you. grass roots is where it starts and i respect your resolve. when you come to my house I'll give you some organic treats for your pooch! )

 

Been wanting to try them actually. My doggy has a sensitive stomach, not the least of which is helped by the parasites she keeps contracted in our area, so I wanted treats that would hopefully be more gentle.

Probably wishfull thinking.

 

oh you HAVE to go there! Candidae dog food, organic treats that aren't super expensive, SO many great choices- tell them about your pup and they will know what you need. support this local biz- tell them Beemer's mom sent you! and tell them your doodie mission- who knows what kind of support they might throw behind ya!

Ashburn Road- across from fire station!

 

Looks like Scotland believes in educating their dog owners

http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/pdf/21332.pdf

 

This was Posted in a Leesburg HOA Newsletter for Spring Lakes in 2005 btw:

Nationwide, about 40% of households own at least one dog, and collectively, these dogs produce an enormous amount of waste. The accumulation of pet waste around pools, tennis courts, tot lots, paths, and other common areas, makes otherwise attractive properties less than pleasant. Dog waste is unsightly and creates a serious health hazard if not dealt with properly. Worms, including roundworm, ringworm, whipworm; bacteria such as E. Coli, and viruses like the deadly parvovirus are all transmitted through dog waste. Additionally pet waste attracts rats and flies. In order to provide residents with attractive and safe areas to relax, community associations have to deal with ways to effectively manage pet waste.

Pet owners must pick up after their dogs. It’s not only the right thing to do; it is the law in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Pooper-scooper laws assign the initial responsibility of waste removal to the offending dog’s owner.

County Codes
Loudoun County enforces pooper-scooper laws. The failure to obey the “pooper scooper” law may result in a $250 fine.Citations may be issued based on an affidavit signed by a witness. The offending dog owner would then have the option of paying the fine or contesting it in court.

Pet Waste Removal Companies
Another option to explore is to contract a pet waste removal company to help manage pet waste in private yards. Petwaste removal companies offer affordable, professional, and accountable service.

Reporting Violations
If, despite the best efforts of the community association, residents notice their neighbors are not picking up after their dogs, reports of violations should first be reported to the HOA Board. Thereafter, residents may choose to report the violation to their county government.

Jacob and Susan D’Aniello own DoodyCalls, a pet waste removal company that provides professional pet waste removal

 

Yes, I think the reality is that the "offenders" are largely unseen. I have seen one person in about eight years not pick up. I asked them about it. They then picked it up.

I do appreciate that whole community is supplying bags, world class bags at that.

 

well maybe we're onto something on the LEGAL front- i like the "affidavit fron a witness" aspect of enforcement. how about a community dog registration where VOLUNTEERS man tables that have residents register their dogs with the community, sign the form that they understand their legal obligation not to be a "doodie ditcher", and in exchange they receive a bag of goodies from local pet businesses?

I am laid up with nothing but time on my hands for awhile- hence the many posts in the past 2 weeks- lol. i will GLADLY contact different bizzes- doggone naturals, barks and bubbles, grooming places, see who will donate some freebies, some great coupons, etc., to really motivate participation.

we'll have to save the event until after the holidays- but what a great way to kick off 2008 for these pet businesses, huh?

someone in charge give me a green light and i will get rocking on sponsors for our event... who has a catchy name??

"Broadlands- In the Bag" wait- that describes the halloween party...

I GOT IT!!! We'll call it C.O.O.L.

Crap Off Our Lawns!!!!

oh I'm on a roll... hee heeeeee....

 

Redon-
It is ironic you bring this up (the community dog sign up idea) because I was day-dreaming about something similar while walking my pup the other night.

My thought was that we organize a clean-up day to get the poop off the lawns in the first place. This clean-up day could be sponsored by a local pet store or stores, the sponsorhip could provide pooper scoopers and bags, would give free treats to the dogs and upon signing up as a 'responsible dog owner' the owner and dog could be awarded with a special colored leash (maybe bright orange). This leash would denote the dog and owner as being a responsible pet owner that cares about the community and picks up after their pet.

The side effect of that is that when you see another orange leash owner you know who they are, the non-orange leash owners we could watch out for more closely Of course there are pitfalls to this idea too, but it might be worthwhile.